Solar-powered lawn lamps: a device, how to choose + installation nuances

Device and principle of operation

It is worth looking at a simplified diagram of a solar-powered lighting device and the principle of operation becomes clear.

Main structural elements:

1. Solar battery.
2. Battery.
3. Lamp (lighting element).
4. Controller.
5. Motion sensors.
6. Frame.
7. Support.
8. Decor elements.
9. Switch.

Solar battery

The solar battery is the main element of an autonomous lamp. Purpose - conversion of solar energy into electrical energy. Types of photocells:

• polycrystalline;
• multicrystalline;
• monocrystalline.

Monocrystalline solar panels for street lamps are the most reliable.

Battery

Accumulates electrical energy during daylight hours.At the onset of darkness, it receives a signal from the controller and switches to the energy source mode, feeding the lighting element. In the background, it provides power to the controller and other automation elements.

Two types of devices are used as an energy storage device:

• nickel-cadmium battery (NI-CD);
• Nickel-metal hydride battery (NI-MH).

Lamp

A lamp, or rather an LED device, is an important part of the lamp

It affects the intensity and quality of lighting, and, no less important, its cost.

Controller

The controller or control system is the simplest electronic system designed to control an autonomous lighting device:

• processes data from sensors;
• turns on the lighting device at dusk;
• turns off the lamp on time or when the light increases.

Motion sensors

Not all models are equipped with motion sensors. Solar-powered lights equipped with motion sensors operate in 2 modes. Illumination of less intensity when there is no movement in the surrounding area and maximum illumination when there is a moving object.

Frame

Housing - ceiling provides protection of structural elements from moisture, dust and other atmospheric influences. Plafonds can be made of plastic or steel. Do not count on the long service life of plastic models. Usually these are cheap Chinese-made products with low efficiency.

Support

The support is an optional element of a local solar-powered lighting device. In built-in or mounted models of luminaires with a built-in solar battery, a support is not needed, fasteners are included.

Best Ground Garden Lights

Soil lamps can be installed directly into the ground. They have pointed fittings, which simplifies the installation of the device in the ground. The easiest option would be to buy lamps that use solar energy. Experts liked the following models.

Novotech Solar 357201

Rating: 4.9

Affordable price and stylish design allowed the ground lamp Novotech Solar 357201 to win gold in our review. The model is powered by solar panels, which allows you to quickly and easily organize the lighting of the yard or tourist camp. The Hungarian manufacturer has used high-quality materials, as well as good dust and moisture protection (IP65), so that the lamp serves consumers for a long time. The experts liked the chrome-plated body, plastic cover and low power consumption (0.06 W). It is recommended to use LED lamps with a color temperature of 4000 K as a light source.

Users flatter about the long warranty period (2.5 years), they like the soft neutral light, optimal dimensions and reasonable cost.

• affordable price;
• quality materials;
• stylish design;
• durability.

not detected.

TDM ELECTRIC SQ0330-0133

Rating: 4.8

Many design and landscape projects can use TDM ELECTRIC SQ0330-0133 ground luminaires. They are perfect for illuminating entrance groups, garden paths, flower beds, etc. The lamp stand is made of chrome-plated steel, and plastic is used to make a matte spherical shade. The height of the lamp is 34 cm. The manufacturer has provided for a change in the color of the glow.The kit includes a solar battery, the battery life of which reaches 8 hours. The model takes the second place in our review, yielding in power consumption (0.6 W) and degree of protection (IP44).

Domestic homeowners like the elegant appearance of the lamp, low price, lightness and compactness.

• low price;
• elegant design;
• long battery life;
• long service life.

insufficient moisture protection.

Globo Lighting Solar 33793

Rating: 4.7

The Austrian lamp Globo Lighting Solar 33793 has a modern style. The model is distinguished by a high (67 cm) chrome-plated stand and a large spherical shade. The manufacturer equipped his product with four LED lamps, each of them consumes only 0.07 W of electricity. The LEDs are powered by a solar battery, the voltage in the network of the structure is 3.2 V

The experts drew attention to the complete set, along with the lamp comes a solar battery and 4 lamps. The model takes the third place in the review due to the high price and the degree of moisture protection IP44.

Russian consumers highly appreciated the brightness of the glow (up to 270 lm), beautiful design, and rich equipment. Of the shortcomings, only the high price is noted.

• bright light;
• full set;
• low power consumption;
• ease of installation.

high price.

Arte Lamp Install A6013IN-1SS

Rating: 4.6

Italian style is noted by experts in the design of Arte Lamp Install A6013IN-1SS. The model is distinguished by a flat, upward-pointing ceiling.A cartridge with an E27 base is installed inside, into which it is recommended to screw a 100 W light bulb. The body of the product is made of steel, which is protected from corrosion by heat-resistant paint. For the manufacture of the ceiling, the manufacturer used transparent glass. The experts attributed reliable protection against dust and moisture (IP65), as well as an 18-month warranty, to the pluses of the model. The luminaire is powered by a 220 V household power supply.

In the reviews, domestic users praise the Italian lighting fixture for its modern design, high degree of protection, and large lighting area (5.6 sq. M.). The downside is the high price.

• Italian style;
• reliable design;
• high degree of protection;
• large area of ​​illumination.

high price.

Globo Lighting Solar 33271

Rating: 4.5

Homeowners are satisfied with the battery life, the brightness of the luminous flux (270 lm), and the reliability of the design. Among the shortcomings should be attributed to a small area of ​​​​illumination.

Selection Guide

But quite recently, solar panels were new and were considered expensive sources of energy. At present, small panels are installed in garden lamps during manufacture. During daylight hours, energy is stored in the battery, and at night it provides power to the lighting device. You can choose the best lighting option from the samples presented on the domestic market, using the recommendations of experienced experts. The first requirement: the luminaire should not only be outwardly beautiful, but also be economical and productive.

The adjoining territory must necessarily have lighting for the entrance, paths and various zones.

Solar lights are the best way to arrange country estates. Many devices simply dig into the ground, this procedure takes a few minutes.

The advantages of such devices:

• independence from the power grid due to the influence of solar energy;
• environmental friendliness;
• ease of installation (no wires are needed, respectively, time and material resources are saved;
• model security;
• no need for daily maintenance;
• modern decor that serves to decorate the landscape;
• the ability to equip lighting fixtures with motion and sound sensors:
• choice of any number of lamps.

Not without drawbacks:

• in the cold season, due to hypothermia of the battery, a failure may occur, and overheating is possible in summer;
• almost all lamps are not repairable;
• in a short daylight hours, the battery does not charge well, and the flashlight can work effectively for only a couple of hours;
• ease of installation is used by thieves;
• the luminous flux is not powerful enough compared to stationary lamps, so the models mainly serve to decorate the garden.

Varieties and selection criteria

Lanterns are divided into several types. The first large group is wall lamps. They are intended for permanent mounting. Efficient lighting makes a home or entrance very beautiful. A significant drawback of such models is the need to install such elements only on the sunny side of the structure. There are huge park lights. Usually they are made of stainless steel and are bulky, the design has a high degree of tightness. Lanterns have the ability to work for a long time, sometimes several days in cloudy weather.Embedded devices can also be included in this group. They can be mounted in facade elements, such as flights of stairs.

Lawn lights are very compact and more affordable. They run on LEDs and consume a minimum amount of electricity. Such light bulbs decorate lawns, paths and garden plots. Soil varieties are also popular.

Diverse and design. Trading networks represent devices that have a different shape and style. Design can be chosen depending on the landscape of the site and the exterior of the house. There are models in the form of a ball, they are suitable for lighting the entrance or courtyard. Rectangular and cone-shaped structures will help to beautifully illuminate the facade of a residential building or gazebo. Cylindrical fixtures harmoniously illuminate lawns and perfectly highlight paths

An important indicator is the degree of protection. Dust and moisture protection is determined by a special designation in the form of Latin letters IP and numbers. The larger the numerical value after the letters, the tighter the product. An IP of 44 or higher provides the highest level of protection. The motion sensor is an equally important element of the device. To ensure that the lamps do not work all night, but only as needed, the devices are equipped with motion sensors. They turn on the light when an object approaches the sensor. This allows you to save energy.

The device and principle of operation of solar-powered lamps

The main elements of a solar lamp

The luminaire consists of the following structural parts.

Solar battery (or panel). The main element of the lamp, the most expensive.The panel consists of photovoltaic cells, in which the energy of the sun's rays is converted into electrical current through photovoltaic reactions. The electrode material used is different. It is on them that the efficiency of the battery depends.

Battery. It accumulates the electrical current that the panel produces. The battery is connected to the battery using a special diode. A diode conducts electricity in one direction only. In the dark, it becomes a source of energy for light bulbs, and in the light, it feeds the controller and other automation. Nickel metal hydride or nickel cadmium batteries are commonly used. They handle multiple charge-discharge cycles well.

Light source. The most commonly used LED bulbs. They consume a minimum amount of energy, emit little heat, and serve for a long time.

Frame. All of the listed components are enclosed in an external case. It must be resistant to direct sunlight, precipitation, dust and dirt. Sometimes the solar battery is placed separately, and the lamp itself is in a different place. Often a ceiling is placed on top of the case, which performs protective functions and scatters the light flux in space.

Controller (switch). A device that controls the charge/discharge process. Sometimes the controller performs the function of a photo relay - it is responsible for automatically turning on the light when it gets dark. Some models have a manual switch.

Lamp support. The case is placed on a metal support: a pole or other leg. Depending on the purpose, the support is made in different heights.

The principle of operation is as follows: the sun's rays fall on photovoltaic cells and are converted into electric current. The current through the diode enters the battery, which accumulates a charge. During the day, when it is light, a photo relay (or manual switch) prevents the battery from being discharged. But with the onset of darkness, the battery begins to work: the electricity accumulated during the day begins to flow to the light source. LEDs begin to illuminate the space around them. At dawn, the photorelay works again, the lamp stops working.

Schematic principle of operation

On a sunny day, there is enough energy to operate the lamp for 8-10 hours. When charging on a cloudy day, the operating time is reduced several times.

Pros and cons of such devices

These street lighting devices have the largest list of features that are far superior to conventional lights. The most important of these are the following criteria:

1. Profitability, does not require financing;
2. A variety of types and styles of design allows the product to fit organically into any landscape style;
3. Production from the most unusual materials, such as rattan, bamboo, bronze, glass;
4. Autonomy, switching on and off of lamps is carried out automatically and does not require the presence of a person;
5. Long terms of operation;
6. Resistance to aggressive environmental influences;
7. Absolute safety for others, as it does not require an electrical connection;
8. Wide range of power and illumination of the area up to 10 m in diameter.

However, despite a lot of positive features, solar-powered lamps have some disadvantages. These should include:

• Impossibility of repair in most cases;
• Failures at negative temperatures;
• Poor charge quality in rainy weather.

But still, even with these shortcomings, street lamps of this class, solar-powered LED garlands, are an ideal lighting option. They are able to transform the atmosphere in any garden. The unique design of such products allows you to turn an ordinary site into a fabulous space, and its lighting is carried out at no additional financial cost.

Popular models of solar-powered lamps

Among the variety of such products, Cosmos lanterns are in the greatest demand. They belong to multifunctional LED lamps and are considered the most effective for lighting household units, sheds, gazebos and other premises located outside the centralized power grid.

Watch the video, popular Era models:

The luminaire of the Cosmos model is equipped with three batteries that are charged during the day, 8 LEDs, the power of which is enough to illuminate an object with an area of ​​20 m². The lamp is switched on with the help of a special switch located on the body of the product. The lantern is connected to the solar panel using a cable, the length of which is 2 m. At the same time, the luminaire can be fixed in any convenient place using self-tapping screws.

The body of the device is made of metal, the lampshade is made of plastic. At the same time, it has a compact size and can be used for a room with a limited area.

Solar-powered lamps made in the form of:

• Shara;
• Candles;
• butterflies;
• Colors;
• Stolbikov.

They differ only in the shape of the lampshade and the method of installation, while the equipment for such products is almost the same. The minimum set includes:

• LED matrix;
• solar battery;
• photosensitive element;
• Battery.

In the Shar solar lamp, the solar battery is located in the middle of the support column, while its lower end is pointed for better entry into the ground. On top of the design is decorated with a ceiling in the form of a ball. The height of the rack for such a product reaches 800 mm, and the diameter of the ceiling is 100 mm.

We watch a video about the Cosmos SOL 201 model:

Stolbiki lamps differ from Shara in the location of the solar battery. They have this element at the top of the ceiling. The lighting fixture SOL 201 has an even more unusual design. It is equipped with magnets that hold the lampshade on the rack.

If the device is supposed to be used to illuminate roads, parking lots, streets, then you should choose a solar lamp with super-bright diodes. The height of such models can reach 10 m. In addition to the usual set of elements, they are equipped with controllers that are responsible for the process of recharging the battery. Some of the solar lights can be equipped with timers or motion sensors. In the first case, they can be programmed for a certain turn-on time, and in the second case, they are triggered when a moving vehicle appears in the field of view.

What consumers say about

The emergence of alternative energy sources has significantly reduced the financial costs of electricity. Today, in order to make your site cozy at any time of the day, it is enough to install solar LED lighting on it.A wide variety of shapes, sizes, mounting methods make it possible to use the product in any place, both open and closed space, which could not be achieved using conventional lamps.

Features of the device and the operation of lamps

There are many varieties of solar-powered lighting devices, but their design and the principle of operation of light panels are approximately the same. Solar energy is stored using special batteries and accumulators.

When energy is supplied to a semiconductor LED, it emits visible light. The LED control system consists of a light sensor and a microcircuit.

Due to the peculiarities of their device, the lamps can work both in summer and in autumn. Depending on the season and the degree of illumination, they turn on from about 6 to 9-10 pm (+)

The intensity of the glow of the lantern depends on the strength of the voltage. When the battery is low, the control system turns off the light. It turns on with the help of a special photocell, the function of which is to convert solar energy into electrical energy.

Installing powerful models is not always convenient. In many cases, it is better to choose low-power fixtures and install them closer to the ground. This will save on appliances, and the quality of the lighting of the tracks will not decrease.

When choosing fixtures, one should take into account not only the technical characteristics of the devices themselves, but also the climatic features of the area. Batteries do not withstand frost, so in regions where severe winters are possible, lanterns are dismantled in late autumn and returned to their place only in spring.

In late autumn, when daylight hours are short and the weather is often overcast, batteries for solar-powered flashlights are rarely fully charged. However, there is enough energy for several hours of lighting in the evening.

In most models, photocells made on the basis of silicon are installed. This is an important nuance, because. devices based on single-crystal silicon are more reliable and durable than models with polycrystalline photocells.

Also pay attention to the type and quality of glass. The best choice - flashlights with polycrystalline photocells and tempered glass

Turning on your garden led light for the first time

If you do not read the instructions, then you can be very disappointed in the purchase on the first evening. That is exactly what happened to us. In the afternoon, we put new clothes on the site so that the built-in batteries were properly charged from the sunlight.

With the onset of twilight, we kept looking at the lamps, which did not even think of turning on. We already wanted to be sad, but after reading the instructions, the situation cleared up. It turned out that under the plastic ball, which is easily unscrewed from the base, there is not only a solar battery, a battery, a light sensor and LEDs, but also a switch.

Please note: the solar panel is inside a plastic ball and receives less sunlight. It would be much better to bring it somewhere to the surface

There are lamps with a battery on the "lid". Or the solar battery can be a separate unit connected to the lamp by an electrical wire. This allows you to hide the lamp itself in the thickets, and leave the battery in a sunlit area. But our particular products had such an unfortunate feature.

The luminaire is sold in the off state with a fully charged battery. This allows you to immediately try it in action, even if you bought it in the evening and installed it on the site at dusk. The first night the device will work on factory charging, and the next day it will be charged from the sun.

After the switch was moved to the correct position, all four LEDs began to glow. A little upset that they shine with a blue cold light. It would be better if they were yellowish, warm. But there were no "warm lamps" for sale.

Having screwed the plastic ball into place, we hoisted the lamps on the lawn and began to admire them.

Mounting

The circuit consists of a minimum number of elements, so installation can be easily carried out in a hinged way. The length of the "legs" of the parts will be quite enough to solder without the use of additional wires. After completing the installation and checking the performance of the manufactured luminaire, all joints should be insulated with a thermal pencil or an appropriate sealant.

For those who prefer to mount components on a PCB, they can do so using a universal mounting board of suitable dimensions or a custom made one.

Autonomous power plants

Installation for lighting SEU-1

A good source of electricity in all weather conditions are universal solar power plants SPP.

Installation of SPP does not require excavation and cable laying.

Installations for lighting small settlements have proven themselves well. From the required load and the duration of sunny days, the following models are used:

1. The SEU-1 model is equipped with a battery with a capacity of 45-200 Ah.The peak power of the solar battery is 40-160 watts.
2. The SEU-2 model is equipped with a battery with a capacity of 100-350 Ah. The peak power of the solar battery is 180-300 watts.

If it is necessary to increase the power of the SPP, it can be combined into a single power system. Installations are convenient for generating and storing electricity outside settlements. From the SPP, it is possible to supply electricity for the operation of pedestrian indicators and traffic lights.

The use of solar energy for high-quality street lighting is expensive. But over time, all costs will pay off due to energy savings.